Elevator car announcing system



March 26, 1968 Filed June 7, 1965 S. A. HORNUNG ETAL ELEVATOR CAR ANNOUNCING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HEAD PPE-AMP a, c I L c R! 0 run 0 2 [-1 POWER mn SUPPLY 1/ '4.- PM, 7 l- REPEA TER H N9 7 a l2 N9 1 r0 1 I Mg 1 i I I a I I I I I I I REPEAT" 9- REPEATER 9 5- N9 12 HP we 12 0 j 4. 12

j 22 /AMPLIF'IER DISCRIMINATOR INTERCOM CAR BY ROOF 1 N VEN TORS.

I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 26, 1968 3,375,491 ELEVATOR CAR ANNOUNCING SYSTEM Stephen A. Hornung, Louisville, Ky., Lloyd L. Riggs, New Albany, N.Y., and James H. Stichweh, Louisville, Ky., assignors to K. M. White Company, Inc., Louisville,

Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 461,951 Claims. (Cl. 34019) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An elevator car announcing system including an array of message storage modules each including an endless storage media initiated by an elevator command to ex tract :the stored message. The module controls its own output and resets the initiating circuit by virtue of a super posed 40 cycle tone on the message. A unique ladder network of relays insures that remaining circuits are .disen' abled during the functioning of each elevator command.

This invention relates :to an elevator message announcing system, and in particular, to one of extreme flexibility and instantaneous response.

Conventional message announcing systems, such as one might hear on the floor of a department store, while satisfactory for their intended purpose, are generally not adaptable to employment with elevator banks. This arises chiefly because of the continuous duty cycle imposed by elevators, the maintenance problems peculiar to elevator systems, the difiiculty in exercising elevator control .over

the message store, and the arbitrary message sequence and instantaneous response demanded by elevators.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a message announcing system, adaptable to individual or banks of elevators, which reduces the various portions subjected to a continuous duty cycle to a minimum, and -is simple to both test and maintain.

It is another object of this invention to provide a flexible message store in which the access time to any message is minimized.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a message'announcing apparatus which has a plurality of messages stored in a manner in which each may be easily and independently replaced, and which ensures against undesired message repeats and partial plays.

It is a further object of this invention to predicate the system upon a plurality of standard storage modules of maximum simplicity and minimum cost.

It is a further object of this invention to permit each module to control the duration of its own cycle without modifying or increasing the complexity .or cost of the basic module.

It is still a further object of this invention to adapt to emergency conditions; indicating the presence of such conditions to appropriate personnel and allowing communication therewith.

It is a feature of this invention to provide each elevator car with a pair of speakers, one directed into the hall and the other. into the car, and a switching arrangement coupled thereto for directing the appropriate message to persons waiting on the landing or those in the car.

Briefly, the invention is predicated upon the concept of an array of message storage modules (repeaters) each including an endless storage media, and each independently initiated by an elevator command to extract the stored message. Subsequent to message initiation, the module itself is utilized to further control its own output and to ,reset the initiating circuit upon completion of the message.

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will best be understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation of the basic message module utilized in the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block schematic of the module audio and power circuits according to the invention; and

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3: illustrate the module switching control circuits (broken into sections for clarity).

'In the drawings and in the following description, insofar as possible, the following relay nomenclature is adhered to:

Initial capitals-relay coil (for example IX Initial small letterrelay associated contact (for example iX Numeral following first letterthe module with which the relay or contacts are associated (for example XZ Letter subscripts-the particular relay associated with that message module (for example, XX

Thus 12 is the second relay coil associated with the second message module and 1'2 is a contact associated with that relay. General function relays will, similar to the above, have coils designated by initial capitals and their contacts by initial small letters.

Since the invention relates to an apparatus automatically supervised by conventional elevator control circuits (these latter circuits forming no part of this invention except as ancillary thereto), the discussion of such circuits has, for the sake of brevity, been omitted from the specification. In its stead, the phrase elevator command will be employed. It is to be understood that this term embraces those functions normally relegated to elevator conmodule drives a tap loop, containing a prerecorded message; the loop being led around friction drive wheel 1 and the roller guides 2 and 3 for transporting the tap adjacent the reading head. Since the messages may vary in length from tape to tape, and it is desired to have therrnessage cover substantially the whole loop (save for a minor control portion, to be described), the guide rollers and head are preferably adjustably spaced (not shown) from the drive wheel in any conventional manner. Alternatively, the tape may be embodied in a cartridge insertable in the module. In the latter case the slack will be taken up on the driven cartridge spindle, and the tape fed in an inside loop arrangement.

The wheel 1 is driven by a synchronous motor M via suitable transmission means (not shown). The output from the magnetic head is fed via a preamplifier to output terminals 1.1 and 12, while the motor and preamp are energized at terminals 7 through 10, in a manner to be described. Push button PB permits the system to-be tested locally at each module. These buttons are connected in parallel with the elevator command controls (FIG. 30) and activate each module in a manner identical to that which would occur upon the associated elevator command.

Each module is preferably constructed as a plug-in unit allowing replacement 'maintainence rather than in the field trouble shooting. The module tapes are prepared as follows: A length of tape sufiicient for several messages is prerecorded with a low frequency (e.g., 40 cycle) tone. Each message is then recorded serially over the tone, and the tape is spliced into several loops, each slightly longer than the included message. That small portion of the tape upon which no message exists and which is therefore indicative of the end of the message, is scraped to remove the magnetic material and provide a window free of the superposed 4O cycle control signal. While the purpose of this window will be described hereinafter, it will suffice at this juncture topoint out that the window to window distance of any loop may be defined as a cycle.

The upper portion of FIG. 2 illustrates the repeater power supply circuits. Each repeater has its motor and audio portions independently controlled and accordingly each is shown twice in this figure; the numerals adjacent to the module corresponding to the audio and motor terminals shown in FIG. 1.

Repeater motor power is made available at winding T of transformer T, the several repeaters being coupled in parallel via respectively relay contacts il -ilZ (the associated relays being shown in FIG. 3b). Connected in parallel with the repeaters is the breaking circuit consisting of a capacitor C, a resistor R1, a diode D, and the normally closed contact run of the RUN relay (FIG. 3a).

Upon an elevator command, in a manner to be described, the RUN relay is energized and capacitor C charges via the diode D. When the RUN relay releases D.C. braking voltage is available to the energized repeater, insuring that the motor does not carry the tape past the window into a second cycle.

Power for the repeater audio circuits, connected in parallel via associated control contacts i1 -i12 is afforded by a common DC. power supply 20, the voltage to which is derived from winding T of transformer T. The audio outputs from these repeaters are led in common to the amplifier 21 and discriminator 22 through additional contacts il i'l2 of the relays I1 I12 Amplifier 21, which contains a high pass filter for rejecting the superposed 40 cycle tone, drives the monitor and car speakers with the selected message. Discriminator 22 detects the 40 cycle tone and in response thereto energizes relay DX; releasing this relay when the window has appeared at the energized repeater. Both the discriminator and amplifier are preferably plug-in units, each containing an independent power supply. Accordingly, each is shown connected to an AC. source.

While in the foregoing a continuous superposed tone has been described in cooperation with a discriminator circuit for detecting this tone, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternative arrangements are available for indicating the end of a message. The one described is preferred, however, because of the continuous control which is exercised during the readout of the message.

FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate the module switching and control circuits, shown coupled to a common relay power source. So that the invention may be better appreciated, a typical operative example will be described. Assuming the elevator is approaching the first floor, contacts lFL (FIG. So) will close. This elevator command may, for example, be initiated by a selector brush wiping the first floor segment. As a consequence, relay 11 is energized, thereby energizing relays 11 (controlling the motor energization) and 11 (controlling the audio circuits). Both of these relays which are associated with the first repeater, will be energized via i1 il and dv. The latter of these contacts, that is, dv, is closed by virtue of the dependency of the DV relay upon dt and the closed state of the latter via the normally closed contact disc of delay Disc (FIG. 3a). By virtue of its motor energization, the repeater No. 1 will start its message (First Floor) and the superposed 40 cycle tone will cause discriminator 22 (FIG. 2) to energize DX.

The energization of relay DX energizes relay Disc and hence relays 11 and 1'1 are self held via contact 2'1 Simultaneously, relay DT has been released by the normally closed contact of relay Disc ('FIG. 3a) and the circuit il dv drops out. Thus the motor and audio circuits are now under the control of the discriminatordependent relay Disc (assuming contact :1 opens). At this juncture, the control by the discriminator is not exclusive, and one problem remains. This arises because the elevator commands are not constant in duration and may last beyond the length of the message. This might occur, for example, where the elevator sits at one landing for several seconds. If the elevator command exceeds the duration of the length of the message, the Disc relay would release when the window caused the discriminator to drop out relay DX and the message would be replayed; the circuits reenergizing as described above in response to relay 11 To preclude the foregoing, exclusive control is afforded the discriminator by the action of relay 11 This relay is energized subsequent to 11;; and 11 due to the dependency of the Diss relay on the Disc relay (FIG. 3a). Energization of 11 opens the normally closed contact iI in circuit with the coils of relays 11 and I1 thereby allowing the discriminator contact disc to control these delays. Relay 11 is self-held by the parallel path iI il Thus, if the elevator command-dependent relay 11 remains on after a message is completed, 11;, wiil remain energized and contact disc in circuit with relays 11 and 11 will exclusively control these relays and hence the associated module.

Since it is sometimes desirable to intentionally replay mes-sages (such as safety instructions) a provision is included to effect this result, and is shown at the bottom of FIG. 3a. Contacts of relays 111 and 112;, are included in a dual timer circuit comprising timing relays Tix and Taix. Assume, for example, that the safety switch has been latched in a closed position. Ordinarily, as has been explained, replay is precluded. However, when either 111 or 112,; is energized, timer Tix will be energized until the Disc relays normally closed contact disc opens in response to the superposed tone. Consequently, whereas before the circuits would reset after one play through of the module, now contact tix (FIG. 3b) holds relay 112 and 112 for a second play through until the Disc relay can respond to the tone (a similar arrangement is provided for Ill and 111 not shown).

To prevent in endless cycling of the message, relay Taix is added. .This relay is timed to a predetermined maximum number of replays and, since it has a normally closed cont-act in series with timer Tix, it precludes the latters operation when this time has been exceeded.

Each of the module circuits in FIG. 3b is arranged in a ladder circuit with each rung containing the relays associated with one module (for example 11 I1 and I1 The ladder si-des contain two contacts respectively dependent upon the above and below rung (for example H and i2;,). By applying the relay energization voltage across a diagonal of the ladder (X, Y) a positive interlock is etfected and only one set of module associated relays may be energized at a time.

When a message has been completed, the window appears at the tape head and relay D-X is released followed by relays Disc and Diss (-FIG. 3a). The capacitor CD and resistor .R-D discharge across the relay Diss ensuring its slow release and thus relay 11 follows relay 11 so that the latter cannot be self held.

Capacitor C1 which has been charged during theenerg-ization of 11 now discharges via R1 across relay 11 causing this relay to remain held for a sufiicient amount of time for the motor braking circuit (described in connection with FIG. 3) to become effective. This is rendered possible by relay RUN which releases with l1 providing the DC. path (FIG. 2) C, run (normally closed) 11 Diode D1 ensures that the capacitor C1 does not discharge across 11 and cause it to delay its release (FIG. 3b).

'Should a tape loop break, a repeater motor fail, or if for any reason an individual repeater should fail and the 40 cycle tone were not received by the discriminator, the system would lock-in on the module then energized. To prevent this lock-up, a failure timer and indicator lamp are included in FIG. 3a (at the top). This resets the system automatically and provides a manually reset indicator light.

The operation of this circuit is as follows. Timing relay T is normally energized via contact run. If the RUN relay operates and the Disc relay fails to respond to the 40 cycle tone within the predetermined time of the T relay slow release (provided by the capacitor CT and resistor RT) then relay Ta is energized via contact t. Thus, all power to the remaining circuits is cut off (via normally closed contact ta), relay Tfl is energized and self held and the failure light (which may be remoted) is lit. The removal of power from the relay circuitry resets the system for the next message; the failure light being manually reset (via PB-F) when the serviceman remedies the malfunction.

Examples of other elevator commands are also shown in FIG. 30', each controlling an associated module. Since some of these messages will be directed to people on the landings rather than those in the elevator (for example going up), it is proposed to provide each elevator with two speakers, one directed into the hall (roof speaker) and one into the car (panel speaker). Where the message is to be directed into the hall, the associated command relay (for example 17 and 18 controls a speaker switching relay ID (FIG. 2a). This relay via the two id contacts (FIG. 2) substitutes the roof speaker for the normally employed panel speaker in the amplifier circuit.

Emergency intercom facilities are easily added to the invention as may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3a. Upon the operation of the automatic safety or manual safety switch, relay SSM is energized in conjunction with the associated message module. This relay alerts supervisory personnel, who, via ancillary intercom equipment, may monitor, the car as follows: At the end of the emergency message switch OP may be manually operated, energizing relay E (FIG. 3a). Consequently, an intercom circuit is automatically connected to the car via the contact e.

The equipment may be locally tested by virtue of push buttons PB PB disposed respectively in each module and coupled in parallel with the associated elevator command circuit. These buttons are rendered effective by the manual switch MON- because each button, in elfect, displaces the associated command circuits the test comprehensively includes the total system. Switch MON allows the audio to be switched to a local speaker SP.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. An elevator control circuit commanded message announcing system comprising: a plurality of message storage modules each including an endless recording media for storing a verbal message to be extracted by an associated elevator command, transducer means for deriving an audio output from said media, and means for transporting said media past said transducer means; a plurality of switch means, each respectively responsive to a'predetermined elevator command; means respectively responsive to each of said switch means for cycling the associated module; means coupled to said modules and responsive to a predetermined signal therefrom; a speaker mounted on the elevator car; means for coupling the output of the activated module to said speaker; said cycling means comprising means responsive to said switch means for initiating the cycling of a module, and means controlled by said signal responsive means for pre-empting the control for further cycling said module and for deactivating said module after one complete cycle thereof.

2. The message announcing system claimed in claim 1 in which said signal responsive means is coupled to the module transducer and comprises a discriminator for detecting a superposed signal on said endless media.

3. The message announcing system claimed in claim 2 in which the superposed signal on said endless media is an audio signal substantially removed from the voice range and substantially coextensive with the verbal message for releasing said signal responsive means after the completion of the message.

4. The message announcing system claimed in claim 3 in which said endless media consists of a magnetic tape loop; said signal being absented in a loop position by the removal of magnetic material therefrom.

5. The message announcing system claimed in claim 1 in which each of said cycling means comprises a switching control circuit, the respective switching control circuits being connected in parallel in a ladder network; means connected across a diagonal of said ladder network for the energization thereof; and a pair of switches connected in series in respective legs of said ladder between adjacent switching control circuits and respectively responsive to each of the adjacent circuits for disenabling the energization means to all circuits save that associated with the elevator command.

6. The message announcing system claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second car mounted speaker and means coupled to predetermined said switch means for switching the activated module output to said second speaker.

7. The message announcing system claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of manual switch means each respectively connected in parallel with the associated elevator command control and disposed at the respective modules for commanding a message therefrom.

8. An elevator control circuit commanded message announcing system comprising: a plurality of message storage modules each including an endless recording media for storing a verbal message to be extracted by an associated elevator command, transducer means for deriving an audio output from said media, and means for transporting said media past said transducer means; means responsive to a predetermined elevator command for in-itiating the cycling of the associated module; and means coupled to said transducer means for self controlling the further cycling of said module coextensive with the message recorded thereon and resetting said cycle initiating means at the end of the message; said endless media including a message length control signal superposed thereof, and said self-controling means comprising a discriminator responsive to said signal.

9. The message announcing system claimed in claim 8 further comprising means responsive to a malfunction of said self controlling means for resetting said system for the next command.

10. The message announcing system claimed in claim 8 further comprising means for precluding the resetting of the cycle initiating means of predetermined of said modules for a predetermined time, thereby causing repetition of the associate message a predetermined maximum number of times.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1958 Eames 340-19 7/1961 Diamond et a]. 340-19 

